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Soccer

Who's ready to win the Championship's epic promotion battle?

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Published by Ash Rose
2, May
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The race for promotion in this season's Championship has been one hell of a roller coaster ride, and it will go down to the final Saturday of the season. 

With Coventry City having already wrapped up their own return to the big time, as well as the title, there are three teams all contesting for that second automatic promotion spot. 

So, with just 90 minutes left of the regular season, which one of Ipswich, Millwall and Middlesbrough will be preparing for life in the Premier League next season? 


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Tractor Boys motoring again 

Many expected Ipswich to be among the promotion contenders at the start of the season following their relegation from the Premier League. 

The Tractor Boys kept most of the squad that battled admirably in the top flight last season, while high-rated boss Kieran McKenna remained in charge despite consistent links to jobs further up the food chain. 

However, their bid for an instant return to the promised land has been a slow burn. Their early form saw McKenna's men pick up early draws and suffer notable defeats to Middlesbrough and the 3-0 home reverse against Charlton. 

Yet, following the turn of the year, Ipswich have only lost three games and scored more goals than their two rivals, which could come in handy on Saturday in a day of permutations. 

McKenna Ipswich

The Suffolk side takes a one-point advantage over the chasing pack into a home fixture against already on-the-beach QPR, where a win would seal their return. Yet, they have worryingly only managed one win in their last five games. 

Additionally, Ipswich have failed to score in their last three home meetings with Rangers, who have been one of the league's most unpredictable sides this term. Giving some hope to the two teams hoping to take advantage. Getty Images

Lions to roar their way up 

Of the three teams in the conversation, Millwall are the only side who have never graced the Premier League before. In fact, the Lions haven't been a top-flight side since 1989, and this is the closest they've come since. 

Alex Neil has cleverly built a solid base in South London and made his team one of the hardest teams to break down in the league. Combining his wily Championship experience and tactical nous with the brute force in defence and midfield that the club has been renowned for. 

Millwall celebrate

But this Millwall team are not all blood and thunder, or a club of yesteryear's reputation. The community club has shed its previous persona and unearthed gems such as Femi Azeez and Derek Mazou-Sacko, who have both been star performers this season. 

It's seen the club be in and around the top six all season, but now with a real chance of going up automatically, where the unique flavour of The Den would bring a whole new experience to the Premier League. 

Expect them to beat Oxford, and hope that they get a favour at Portman Road from London rivals QPR. Getty

Are Boro' back?

A point further back off Millwall and hoping the results in the other two fixtures swing their way are Middlesbrough. 

The North-East made an impressive start to the season under Rob Edwards, winning their first four and looking like promotion contenders before the manager found the lure of his old club Wolves too hard to turn down. 

He was replaced by Swede Kim Hellberg, who managed to continue the groundwork laid by Edwards and after a six-match winning streak at the turn of the year, looked like one of the favourites. 

Boro's form then took a hit, and they've only managed four wins since losing to Coventry in February, but they clung onto their promotion prospects.

hackney-20240109-getty-ftr(Getty Images)

Key to their fortunes has been the displays of Hayden Hackney, the Championship's Player of the Season, who will surely be a Premier League player next year regardless of what happens to his club this weekend. 

They'll need one more dazzling display from him as they tackle what looks like the toughest fixture of the three too, as they travel to a Wrexham team needing a win to make the play-offs. 

It's not in their hands, but crazy things occur on final days, and Middlesbrough are still in the fight. 

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